When Stories Shape the Self: Tabletop Role-Playing Games as a Pathway to Identity Clarity and Cognitive Flexibility in Emerging Adults

Abstract

The present study examines whether tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) enhance self-concept clarity (SCC) and cognitive flexibility (CF) among emerging adults. This study used a non-randomized pretest–posttest control group design to compare two modalities of TTRPG interventions, using multi-track scenarios and chat-based, with a control group. Outcomes were assessed using measures of self-concept clarity, cognitive flexibility, decision-making collaboration, and identity. Within- and between-group differences were analyzed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests, with effect sizes reported. In the multi-track scenario of TTRPG group, CF improved significantly, whereas no other variables changed. The chat-based role-playing game (RGPG) group showed significant gains in decision-making collaboration and social identity only. The control group demonstrated a significant increase in CF. No significant differences were found between groups on any outcome measure. The study found no significant changes in SCC across or within groups, indicating that a single-session intervention was insufficient to influence this deep and reflective construct. The cultural tightness and its effect on the result were also discussed further.